Hong Kong today (Sunday) held its first “patriotic” elections to the local legislature in line with a reform passed by the Chinese government earlier this year that was intended to suppress pro-democracy forces in the city. However, the public voted with their feet and recorded the lowest turnout ever.
Yesterday’s election took place more than 15 months after the original date in the Corona Restrictions argument, however the vast majority of voters did not bother to go to the polls even though public transport travel was free. According to official figures, at 9:30 p.m., one hour before the polls closed, only 29.28 percent of registered voters participated in the election. For comparison, in the previous elections held in September 2016, the total turnout was more than 58 percent, the highest figure ever recorded.
In the face of the data, candidates tried to motivate voters to the polls, while John Lee, who heads Hong Kong’s executive arm – accused candidates who were disqualified from running in the election – referring directly to pro-Democratic activists – from trying to thwart the vote. “We must ensure that they do not succeed,” he told reporters after voting in the election.
Hong Kong Governor Carrie Lam has denied any responsibility for the low turnout. “I have set goals for the elections to be as effective as possible, for example in an attempt to announce the results as early as possible,” she said. “And I have tried to fulfill in the interest of the voters. I am responsible for achieving these goals for the people of Hong Kong, but not for the percentage of the vote.”
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This is the first time Hong Kong residents have elected the Legislative Council after the Chinese government earlier this year approved comprehensive electoral reform as part of Beijing’s tightening of control over the city following pro – democracy protests in recent years. Under current procedures, many opposition activists, including lawmakers and businessmen and the media, were sent to jail under the new National Security Act, and more activists fled Hong Kong.
Under the reform, anyone seeking to run in the election must prove to be a “patriot.” Also, the number of members of the Legislative Council was increased from 70 to 90 deputies, but only twenty of them were directly elected compared to 35 seats under the previous law. 40 of the seats will be determined by an election committee appointed by Beijing and the remaining thirty seats are intended for constituencies of various industries and professions.
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